It’s Wednesday, December 8th, A.D. 2021. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Iranian Supreme Court’s favorable ruling to Christians
The Supreme Court of Iran ruled last month that promoting Christianity or attending house churches does not constitute a national security threat.
The ruling is significant because Iranian officials have arrested many Christians on national security charges.
The current case involves nine Christians who received five-year sentences in 2019 on charges of endangering state security. Their crime? Proselytizing and attending house churches. The believers are hopeful the review of their cases may lead to their release.
Psalm 124:6-7 says, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped.”
Canada eager to prevent counseling help to homosexuals
Canada’s Senate agreed to fast track a bill to ban so-called conversion therapy, the practice of providing welcome Biblical counsel to homosexuals or people pretending to be the opposite gender who desire to embrace God’s design.
The ban would prohibit people from offering talking therapy or even prayer to help change someone’s sexually perverted lifestyle despite the person’s desire to honor God.
In a big surprise, Conservative members of Parliament supported the bill after vehemently opposing it earlier this year.
Unvaccinated Europeans facing lockdowns
European countries are creating new lockdowns for people who have not gotten a COVID-19 shot.
In Greece, people without a shot certificate cannot enter theaters and gyms.
The government of Greece also now requires people to have a shot certificate, negative COVID test, or proof of natural immunity just to attend worship services.
Biden’s COVID-shot mandate for federal workers blocked
In the United States, the Biden administration’s COVID-shot mandate hit another legal roadblock.
Yesterday, a federal judge in Georgia blocked the shot mandate for federal contractors nationwide.
U.S. District Judge Stan Baker wrote, “The Court acknowledges the tragic toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought throughout the nation and the globe. However, even in times of crisis this Court must preserve the rule of law and ensure that all branches of government act within the bounds of their constitutionally granted authorities.”
Women will not be drafted
American lawmakers agreed this week to drop a provision from the National Defense Authorization Act that would require women to register for a military draft.
Republican legislators who fought the provision celebrated its removal.
Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler of Missouri said the provision “passed through committee under the misplaced guise of ‘equality,’ imposing a woke ideology on our troops rather than meeting the current needs of our military.”
New Texas pro-life law bans abortion drugs
Last week, yet another anti-abortion law went into effect in Texas.
The law criminalizes prescribing abortion drugs through telehealth or the mail.
The law also bans the use of abortion drugs after seven weeks of pregnancy.
Shockingly, about 60% of abortions after 10 weeks of pregnancy are drug-induced.
Giving down only 1% to churches, up 3% to ministries in 2020
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability released their 2021 State of Giving report.
Despite the disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the report found churches and non-profits received $15.5 billion in 2020.
Giving to churches decreased slightly last year by 1.2% compared with 2019. However, giving to other kinds of ministries increased 3.4%. Most churches and non-profits surveyed said they are optimistic about giving for next year.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Melody: A Monarch’s Miracle
And finally in the midst of all the crazy, changing news that happens every day, do you ever stop and look at the world around you, like the little lady bug, the butterflies, or the deer grazing in the meadows?
The Worldview talked with Kayla White, author of the new book, Melody: A Monarch’s Miracle, to discuss the most amazing things about the monarch.
WHITE: “I think some of the most amazing things about the monarch. Part of it has to do with their migration; the fact that they actually use their antennae, the sun, and the earth’s magnetic field to get to their winter home. That’s actually how they navigate.”
To pre-order a copy of Kayla’s new book, complete with illustrations, and the story of Melody the Monarch, you can take advantage of her Christmas sale this week at www.LucyTheLadyBug.com.
Save 15% on all regular books and Learning/Games, and save 25% on all pre-order items. Choose one of her special pre-order bundles to save even more! Plus, receive a coupon for 10% off your next order when you order this week!
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, December 8th, in the year of our Lord 2021. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.